Double Lung Archery Inc opened in Mar of 2007 but it started to take life in June of 2006. At the time I was working in a Harley-Davidson/Buell motorcycle dealership in Appleton WI. I had been in the motorcycle business since 1998 and have been a motorcycle rider since I was 8 years old. It seemed the perfect fit for me and I did enjoy my job.
But, there were a couple of problems. First of which is that I was working 300 miles away from my home, wife and 4 dogs all week long. Commuting on weekends, 600 miles round trip, not a good situation and I had been doing this since April of 2004. I really missed my family. During hunting season it was even worse. Only having one day per week to hunt and virtually no time with my wife.
The second problem was, as long as I can remember I have wanted to own my own business. To be my own boss. With my 44th birthday approaching I decided it was time for a change. But what? I looked into staying in the motorcycle business but you need a big bankroll to get a HD/Buell franchise and it would not be available in the Waterloo area, which is where my wife and I want to live.
What else could I do? I have no fancy degrees or skills to speak of. I have been in sales since 1984. What business could I open, have fun, make a modest living and provide my customers with a great experience? Well for the past 2 years I had been shooting my bow at an indoor range in Appleton WI. I went almost every Weds. night and shot with other area archers. It was a great time and the indoor range made it convenient for me since I could shoot regardless of weather, or amount of sunlight (hard to shoot outside in the dark). Of course they also sold bows, stands, camo and all the other stuff us bowhunters have to have.
I remembered when Waterloo had an indoor range and that I used to go there also, but when it closed had kind of forgotten how fun indoor 3D shooting is. The light bulb came on in my head! I could open an indoor archery range in the Waterloo area! I have been an avid bowhunter for 18 years and it is my favorite form of hunting whitetail deer. This may be the perfect match for me.
I began my search for a building in June of 2006 and after many setbacks, leased aprox. 4000 sq ft of a building on Hwy 218 N in LaPorte City and opened Double Lung Archery Inc. on March 1st 2007.
I would like to thank my wife, Penny, for believing in me and my goals. She is the greatest wife a man could ever wish for. Without her love, support and friendship, Double Lung Archery Inc would not have become a reality.
I would also like to thank my Mother in Law, Bobbie, she offered advise and support when I needed it most.
My own parents deserve my thanks as well; they raised me to be a hard worker and an individual, not afraid to chase my dreams.
Others that I owe my thanks to
My banker Jim, who took a chance on me and believed
My friends Larry, Chris, Ralph and Jason, they all helped out with advice and hard work
Ross Archery rep Tim Humphreys, who stuck with me and somehow knew I was going to make it happen
Enigma Camo owner Chuck Pensyl
Bob Wood, for taking care of the league scores and lots of help and good advise. Thanks also go out to Pat, his wife for making the league score program.
Everyone at Huntingnet.com for answering my research polls and many questions while I was formulating my business plan. HuntingNet.com
And finally, all of my past customers in the motorcycle business that thru their loyalty and trust in me, gave me the courage to finally open my own business, even though it meant loosing them as customers.
Thank you all.
Dave Stueve
Pres. Double Lung Archery Inc.
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